6159 The evidence of three things is invoked, viz. Night, Day, and the mystery of Sex, and the conclusion is stated in verse 4, that men's aims are diverse. But similarly there are contrasts in nature. What contrast can be greater than between Night and Day? When the Night spreads her veil, the sun's light is hidden, but not lost. The sun is in its place all the time, and will come forth in all its glory again in its own good time. Cf. 91:3, 4, and n. 6149. Man pursuing diverse aims may find, owing to his own position, Allah's light obscured from him for a time, but he must strive hard to put himself in a position to reach it in all its glory.

By the Night as it conceals (the light);
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali

By the night enshrouding
— Marmaduke Pickthall

I swear by the night when it draws a veil,
— M. Habib Shakir

By the night as it envelops;
— Taqiuddin Hilali and M. Mohsin Khan

By the night when it envelopeth,
— Abdul-Majid Daryabadi

By the night, when it envelops,
— Hasan Qaribullah and Ahmed Darwish

By the night when it envelops,
— Ayub Khan

By the night when it covers up;
— Sher Ali

CONSIDER the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness,
— Muhammad Asad